By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA
Moapa Valley Progress
Local kids, parents and teachers kicked off the 2019-2020 school year in Moapa Valley on Monday, August 12. The transition from summer vacation to the start of a new school year isn’t the only shift happening here, though. From staff members to programs to class sizes, the area’s four schools are experiencing major changes this year.
Grant M. Bowler Elementary School has grown from 650 students in 2018 to 665 and counting this year, according to school principal Shawna Jessen.
“I’m certain this year will be even better than the last!” said Jessen.
Changes at Bowler include a new program to “encourage student discourse and collaboration” and the introduction of a new assistant principal, Mitchell Ozaki.
“Our best news is that our scores are up in every area, validating that what we are doing is working for our students,” said Jessen.
At Ute V. Perkins Elementary School, enrollment numbers have dropped from 180 to approximately 130, said Principal Hal Mortensen.
More importantly, the Moapa school will be missing some long-familiar faces. A number of teachers and staff who had worked there since the founding of the school retired at the end of last year. “This year is a major change, as we will operate the school without the original staff who opened the school after it was first built,” commented Mortensen.
New staff at the school will include Katie Allred, Dan Haiola, Meja Hammons, Lonia Pulsipher, Monica Dominguez, and Christie Lewis.
“I am confident our students will love both our new teachers as well as those familiar faces,” Mortensen said.
At the other end of the valley at Mack Lyon Middle School in Overton, enrollment has stayed constant this year with around 423 students.
Events staged the week before the start of school included a 6th grade boot camp, 7th and 8th grade “ChromeBook Rollout,” and an open house event.
“All three of these events help students, parents, and teachers experience less anxiety [on] the first day of school,” Principal Ken Paul explained.
A big change this year is a new 2-hour block for seventh grade math. The second hour will focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Another implementation is the “MakerSpace.” Made possible through donations from Lin’s Marketplace and Dr. Ann Rice, this program will involve hands-on technology and 3D printers.
“I am excited about this new school year,” said Paul. “People, not programs, make the biggest difference.”
Over at Moapa Valley High School, numbers have increased from 540 in 2018 to 562 and counting this year.
Principal Hal Mortensen hopes to fulfill the needs and interests of students with three exciting new courses: choir, AP Computer Science, and robotics.
MVHS also boasts new staff members: Ted Biggs, Jill Laub, Bryan Lindford, Dr. Kenna Higgins, Esmeralda Serrano, Christie Lewis, and Korey Johnson.
“I am excited for our new staff and what they will bring for our students,” Mortensen said.
Many MVHS classrooms have been displaced since last January due to roof and AC replacements. Mortensen expressed relief at the prospect that construction should be finished by December.
Fourth-grader Madilyn Thompson, while expressing some initial nerves about the new year, commented, “I’m excited to learn more this year!”
All signs point to a positive new school year for Moapa Valley’s Buccaneers, Patriots, Mustangs, and Pirates.
